Couple Views Store As Opportunity To Serve
David and Kitty Collingsworth of Dave’s Supermarket in Southwest City are in the business of serving their customers, not merely selling to their customers.
“We do this to make a living, but we also do this as a service,” Kitty said. “We’re a store of service. We still have a butcher on duty and we still cut steaks. A lot of what we do focuses on service to our customers.”
The historic building, originally owned by the Nichols brothers,
was established as a grocery store in the early 1900s. David bought the business in 1984 after going to work there in 1979. They have not changed the appearance much, Kitty said, noting the old-fashioned wood floors in part of the building. The store sells groceries, flowers, gifts and clothing.
“We’re kind of a unique, dying breed,” Kitty said.
The couple is involved in their community and their church. Kitty taught in the business department at McDonald County High School for 33 years and retired four years ago. Kitty was formerly involved as a 4H leader. Her father was one of the originators of the McDonald County Fair, and both she and David grew up showing cattle.
“We were active in the county fair for many years as exhibitors when we were kids but also as officers as adults. We’ve since retired from that,” she said.
She added, “David was instrumental in helping establish Public Water Supply district No. 3.”
Outside the store, the couple enjoys raising cattle and baling hay.
“There’s nothing more peaceful than sitting on a four wheeler in the middle of a herd of cattle and watching the sun set,” Kitty said.
Asked about their customers, David said, “For years we pretty much took care of the residents and the locals and the farmers. In the last 10 years, we’ve had a cultural change due to the influx of different ethnic groups.”
Kitty added, “For the most part we can still call most of our customers by name.”
“Every profession has their likes and dislikes,” David said. “I think the thing we like the most is serving the need of those who have a need. We’re here to help people. Not just to sell them a product but to service their need.”
Kitty said, “It’s nice to see the smile a bouquet of flowers I made brings.” She also said she enjoys helping a man pick out a gift for his wife or girlfriend for Valentine’s Day.
“Every once in a while people come in with a need and we may let them charge a few groceries, which is kind of unheard of. If you went to the city you can’t go to the store and say, ‘I need a gallon of milk to get me through the week.’”
Regarding their employees, Kitty said, “We do have good employees, and most of them have been with us a long time.”
The store is open seven days a week, and working 70 to 80 hours per week is not uncommon for the Collingsworths. Plus they work 15 to 20 hours on the farm.
“But we do have plans for retirement,” Kitty said.